Slashdot Mirror
Japanese Company Admits To Nuclear Cover Up
a-charles writes "Just as power companies are considering the first expansion of nuclear power usage in the US since the 70s, Reuters reports on a disturbing anouncement from the nation of Japan. On Thursday the Japanese power company Hokuriku Electric Power admitted it had covered up a 1999 incident in which mishandling of nuclear fuel rods led to an unintended self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction. The mishap caused the plant, located in central Japan, to enter a 'critical state' for much of those 15 minutes. Apparently, this was in the same year that two workers were killed in a separate incident in Tokaimura, northeast of Tokyo. A pair of workers were killed after using buckets to mix nuclear fuel in a lab, a test that also created an uncontrolled chain reaction for a short time. The nuclear power industry already has a bad name for safety violations in Japan, and these revelations are unlikely to help with that public image."
It was neither a highly dangerous experiment or an order to wilfully disable safety mechanisms, but a combination of mistake from many people.
I think it is wonderful that you state I have no idea what I'm talking about while restating what I stated all the while, ignoring many important facts. You just make this stuff up as you type? Notice how my FACTS line up exactly with the wonderful post provided by TuballoyThunder's detailed post and your "facts" are well...blissfully ignorant. Let us know how your rain water tastes.
It's obvious you're happier in your blissful ignorance...please remain where you are.
The fact that you are lost and confused by my post only underlines that you should not be commenting. Obviously you have no clue as to the political and/or economic climate of the time, otherwise, the expression and meaning would be crystal clear. Nor do you seem to understand that this is one of a long string of nuclear disasters at the hands of the Russians under the same political/economic pressures. If I talked down it is because this is slashdot and I have no idea who you are. You need to learn facts about the topic before you post. Most importantly, you need to understand where you are posting. This is not a respected journal. Obviously you don't understand the difference. Which is yet another clue you shouldn't be posting.
At this point, I think we understand each other. My dumb-down post went over your head and confused you. I think that says plenty. If you want to fire one back my way...fine; but I'm done.